A ‘large number’ of CNY scouts went to camp where leader charged with sex crimes

Posted Sep 10, 2019

Ronald L. Rowcliffe, 55, of Elba, was arrested Thursday by the New York State Police. Rowcliffe, a Boy Scout leader, has been charged with sexually abusing scouts at the Massawepie Boy Scout Camp in Piercefield.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A “large number” of Central New York scouts attended an Adirondack camp where a scout leader has been accused of sexually abusing scouts, a Longhouse Council official said Tuesday.

At this point, there have been “no reports of inappropriate encounters” involving Central New York scouts, said Grey Rolland, scout executive for the Boy Scouts of America Longhouse Council. The council includes scouts in Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Ronald L. Rowcliffe, 55, of Elba, was arrested Thursday and is accused of abusing “several” children at the Massawepie Boy Scout Camp in Piercefield, St. Lawrence County during the summers of 2017, 2018 and 2019, according to New York State Police. The children were 12 to 14 years old, troopers said.

Three boys told state police investigators that Rowcliffe grabbed their genitals under the pretense that he was helping them with their shooting stance, according to court records. Rowcliffe was an instructor for a shotgun course at the camp, the boys told troopers.

The camp is owned and operated by Seneca Waterways Council, which includes scouts from Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, Yates, and Monroe counties.

Because of its location, Central New York scouts did go the the camp, Rolland said.

“The safety of our Scouts is of paramount importance,” ” Rolland said in an email to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. “Since summer camp staff may often be included as part of weekend camp programming at other times of the year, all of our troops have been notified of the situation and the actions to take."

A Longhouse scout director previously said the council was contacting each troop so they can alert parents.

Troopers have said they believe there could be other victims. One boy told investigators there were “many others” touched in same manner by Rowcliffe, court papers show.

Investigators asked any scouts who believe they are victims or anyone with information about the case to call (518) 873-2750.

Rowcliffe has been charged with:

Two counts of first-degree sexual abuse

Forcible touching

Endangering the welfare of a child

The case remains under investigation. No new charges have been filed as of Monday afternoon, but state police have said that more charges are possible.

Rowcliffe was arraigned in the Piercefield Town Court. As of Tuesday afternoon, he remained in the St. Lawrence County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or a $20,000 bond.

The Seneca Waterways Council on Friday issued a statement that said when the camp learned of the allegations this summer Rowcliffe was fired and the case was turned over to the police.